Prestin gene expression in the rat cochlea following intense noise exposure

Noise-induced permanent loss of cochlear amplification was observed previously with the majority of outer hair cells (OHCs) still surviving in the cochlea and even with a normal OHC receptor potential, indicated by CM (cochlear microphonics) recording [Chen, G.D., Fechter, L.D., 2003. The relationship between noise-induced hearing loss and hair cell loss in rats. Hear. Res. 177(1-2), 81-90; Chen, G.D., Liu, Y., 2005. Mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss potentiation by hypoxia. Hear. Res. 200, 1-9]. This study focused on effects of an intense noise exposure (10-20 kHz at a level of 110 dB SPL for 4 h) on the OHC motor protein (prestin) and structural proteins in the OHC membrane skeleton. The noise exposure significantly disrupted CM and CAP (cochlear compound action potential). The injured CM recovered after 1-week resting period. The impaired CAP at frequencies lower than the noise band also recovered. However, the CAP recovery at frequencies of the noise band stopped at a linear line one week after the noise exposure, indicating a permanent loss of cochlear amplification. Gene expression of prestin, beta-spectrin, and beta-actin was significantly up-regulated after the noise exposure. The elevated gene expression peaked at the 3rd post-exposure day and returned to baseline 4 weeks after the noise exposure. The up-regulated gene expression may be in response to injury of the proteins, which may be responsible for the loss of cochlear amplification.